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Atlas / NTSB / SEA07CA139

NTSB CAROL · Event

Event SEA07CA139

2007-05-29 Torrance, California, United States Airport · TOA None 1 aircraft Status: Completed

Registry · N935M

FAA Aircraft Registry record.

Make / Model

HUGHES 369D

TCDS

H3WE · MD HELICOPTERS INC (MDHI)

Engine

ALLISON 250-C20 SER (420 hp)

Seats / Engines

4 seats · 1 engine

Last airworthiness date

19990212

ADS-B equipped

Yes — Mode-S ACF94F

Registrant of record

ALAN AVIATION LLC

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's loss of helicopter control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a hard landing. The wind gusts were a contributing factor.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport. Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers. During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard. Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control. During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport. Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers. During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard. Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control. During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_SEA07CA139.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.